U.S. News & World Report Poll
A March (1994) poll for U.S. News and World Report’s April 11 issue found that 93% of Americans say they believe in God or a universal spirit. Of those polled, 65% say religion is losing its influence on American life, although 62% say religion is increasing its influence in their personal lives. Other findings:
- The Bible is the actual word of God to be taken literally, word for word: 34%
- The Bible is the inspired word of God, but not everything in it can be taken literally: 46%
- The Bible is an ancient book of legends, history and moral precepts, recorded by man: 16%
- God is a heavenly father who can be reached by prayers: 76%
- God is an idea, not a being: 11%
- God is an impersonal creator: 8%
| We have to keep church and state completely separate | Agree | Disagree |
| There is no one set of values that is right | 48% | 44% |
| Each individual must determine what is right or wrong | 70% | 25% |
| The president should be a moral and spiritual leader | 78% | 17% |
| Our government would be better if policies were more directed by moral values | 84% | 9% |
| Individual freedom is critical to democracy in this country | 91% | 4% |
| God is the moral guiding force of American democracy | 55% | 35% |
Nearly 60% of Americans say they hold their current religious beliefs because of their parents’ example. More than 8 of every 10 Americans today believe that it’s possible to be a good Christian or Jew even without attending a church or synagogue.